This teaching guide accompanies a video of a panel discussion exploring why and how we need to transform medical research to protect and benefit people and animals.

This article summarizes the harms that using animals in research causes and outlines recommendations for transforming medical research so that it protects and benefits both humans and other animals.

For more than 40 years, animal protection advocates have established sanctuaries and shelters for animals who have suffered through horrible ordeals. In his book, Saving Animals, Dr. Elan Abrell explores the ethical issues of establishing safe spaces and care for animals who have been abused and mistreated so that they can live out their lives and thrive.

In this Facebook Live event, filmed on May 1, 2021, Phoenix Zones Initiative CEO Hope Ferdowsian, MD, MPH, and media expert Clark Curtis discussed • how SARS CoV-2 evolved into the current pandemic; • what systems and practices put us at risk for future pandemics; • how a Just One Health approach provides meaningful solutions for preventing a future pandemic; • what actions we can all take to help ensure we prevent future pandemics.

Having the freedom to move toward resources and away from threats is critical to the health and wellbeing of all life on the planet, and it is foundational to the rights of self-determination for people and animals. As infrastructure development continues in communities across the globe, it is critical that all decisions consider the rights, health, and wellbeing of vulnerable people and animals. Evidence-based animal crossings are one essential solution.

Historically, attempts to advance medical research have depended heavily on violating the rights of vulnerable people and animals. Fortunately, public demand has resulted in a serious reevaluation of how research is conducted. This paper looks at progress in the advancement of ethically-grounded guidelines and practices to address the ethical inconsistencies and inadequacies of research with animals.